The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-21
LABOR'S BIG ORGANIZATION
An Unsigned Circular Pointing Out
Dangers That Threaten the Knights,
And Suggesting Plan by Which Disinte-
grafton May Be Averted-Rioting in the
Coke Region-General Labor News.

WASHINGTON. July 2O.-A number of promi-
nent and influential Knights of Labor, whose
names cannot be divulged at present, put who
would be readily recognized in the North and
East as members in good standing, and among
the most earnest and devoted advocates of the
labor cause. at recent conference adopted the
following address to the embersof the order:
ITO knights of Labor Wherever Found:
"Greeting-Iti is well-known fast that. owing
to the wide departure of the order from the fun
dam entail principles upon which the Knights of
Labor was founded, there has been a large de-
IN its membership. and. beliving that,
unless the General Assembly, to meet in October,
at Minneapolis, takes measures to tablish
the ascendency of those principles. there will be
still further assertions that will seriously impair
if cot destroy the usefulness of the order,
take this means of protesting against the uncon-
stitutlonal and arbitrary methods by which
the constitution of the Knights of Labor
has been altered, its fundamental principles
nullified, Offices created, salaries increased,
expenditures made. and assessments levied
without authority of tho members, as provided
by the constitution, thereby leading to oligarchic
rule, and to the dissatisfaction of those earnest
advocates of the cause ,of labor who had hoped
to find in this order a means of checking the IT.
responsible rule of privileged classes, commonly
known as monopolies. and of returning to a form
of government resting upon the clearly expressed
and recorded will of the majority, seeking,
such majority inevitably will eventually, when
allowed its free determination and expression.
the good of the whole people, and thereby the
just rights of the individual. We therefore
peal to the members of the order to instruct
their delegates to the General Assembly to organ
ize under the old constitution, and to take steps
to submit to the members of the order, in such
a manner as to satisfy all, that a constitutional
majority OF the mem oers voting have accepted
rejected each clause, a constitution embody
ing the following:
''First--The executive board to be. AS it's
name indicates, the means of executing the VIII
of the order to collect. tabulate and publish re-
ports and statistics and the addresses of local
and other officers and decisions of courts affecting
the whole order, but not to have power to sus-
pend any member or assembly of the order, but
only to prefer charges before court. be pro-
vided for that purpose by the constitution
.'Second-The members of the executive
board and all officers to be amenable to trial by
court of dlsnterestsd local, district State
sembly. or by special court. that the order may
have the power to enforce obedience from every
of its members
''Third-To prohibit any officer or member
from inf1icting his views opinions any sub
ject whatever upon the order. except by having
them first adopted by a local. district State
sembly, and then published the opinions of
such assembly, and not of the member, thus
ing much valuable time, both of the officers of
the order and of the assemblies. and conducting
to the better transaction of the business Of the
order, heretofore aud now sadly neglected.
"Fourth-To provide for the retention. under
proper safeguards. in the local or district
blies. of all money needed for the absolute
essary expenses of the general officers and their
assistants.
.'Fifth-To recognize the right of local self
government. with voluntary and not coerced CO.
operation between the different organizations
''Sixth-To provide for appeals to the vote of
the whole order on matters of general interest,
affecting the constitution, and to provide in
the same manner for amendments to the consti-
tuition
''Seventh-To require itemized statements of
receipts and expenditures with vouchers. to be
submitted by all executive officers or commit
tees. at least once a quarter so that receipts
may be verified and expenditures scrutinized by
those whose money has been contributed.
I'm short, ask. as the only assurance of the
continuance of the order, that the principle of
the people ruling, and our representatives
ing with strict accountability, be recognized; any
thing else means GENERALIZATION of power, which
CT the essence of monarchy, aristocracy and
monopoly, and contrary to the ends and aims of
the order, which was constituted to combat such
tendencies house divided against itself cannot
stand He that would be greatest among US,
let him serve and not attempt to rule
Some of the most prominent members of sew
eral of the largest assemblies are identified with
the address, and. according to the best inform
alton the subject the document bids fair to
create a great deal of interest in Knights of
Labor circles throughout the entire country.
Rioting in the Pennsy lvanfa Coke Region.
HARRISBURG, Pa. July Cot is learned this
afternoon, upon the best authority, that Sheriff
Byers, of Westmoreland county, has telegraphed
to Governor Beaver to order out the military to
quell the riot at the Mammoth coke works.
A riot occurred there yesterday afternoon and
one man was seriously injured The sheriffs
deputies are powerless and unless military aid
is given, dire consequences are feared. Sheriff
Byers is confined to his house with a broken
leg and his request to Governor Beaver insists
that less than 800 men would be moro likely to
provoke than restrain further riots. Upon in
quiry at the executive department. it was learned
that Governor Beaver is at Chautauqua lake.
and Adjntant general Hastings in Ebensburg,
Cambria county. What action will be taken in
the premises is not known.
Threatened Striking of 'Loncshoremen.
NEW York, July 2O.-The union 'longshore-